Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
UK launches £300,000 fund for refugee-founded businesses
The UK has launched the Refugee Venture Fund with £300,000 in initial capital to invest in businesses founded by refugees.
The fund plans to back three to five companies, investing £50,000 to £100,000 in each.
It was established by The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network, which has supported refugee entrepreneurs for a decade, with support from Atomico.
Eligible businesses must be based in the UK and have majority-refugee ownership or leadership, and their founders must have legal refugee status.
The fund will focus on businesses with evidence of progress, such as a product, pilot or early commercial traction, rather than just an idea.
Access to startup finance is a major challenge for many refugee entrepreneurs, while investors may overlook them because of limited local business records or networks.
The first investments are intended to build a track record before a planned £10 million fund targeting refugee-founded businesses.
The UK has launched the Refugee Venture Fund, a venture capital fund dedicated to high-growth businesses founded by refugees.
The fund starts with £300,000 and plans to increase its initial capital to £500,000.
It expects to invest £50,000–£100,000 in three to five companies.
TERN established the fund with support from Atomico.
The initial investments are intended to build a track record ahead of a planned £10 million fund.
- Who
- The Refugee Venture Fund, established by The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN), will invest in high-growth businesses founded by refugees.
- What
- The fund launched with £300,000 in initial capital and plans to invest in three to five companies.
- When
- 13 October 2026, according to the article’s publication date.
- Where
- The fund is UK-based and eligible founders must be based in the UK.
- Why
- It aims to address barriers refugee entrepreneurs face in accessing venture capital.
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This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Initial capital
- £300,000
- Planned initial capital increase
- £500,000
- Expected investments
- £50,000–£100,000 in three to five companies
- Planned future fund
- £10 million
- Fund founder
- The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN)
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What people are saying
The RVF will back the UK's most ambitious refugee founders, which traditional venture funds overlook.
Refugees bring a hunger, determination and drive to succeed, and this fund will help them build ambitious businesses even faster.